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19.12.2022 | The 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity ends today on 19 December in Montreal, Canada. Almost 200 states negotiated on actions to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2030 and strengthen the state of the natural environment.

2.12.2022 | The 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity will be held in Montreal, Canada on 7–19 December 2022. “The Conference in Montreal must mark a turning point in terms of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2030, somewhat in the same way as the Paris Climate Change Conference did for preventing climate crisis,” says Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Maria Ohisalo, who leads Finland’s delegation.

2.12.2021 | Finland has been elected to serve as Vice Chair of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for 2022. International IDEA is a leading intergovernmental democracy organisation, which produces background information and gives expert advice in approximately 50 countries, for example in questions related to electoral and constitution building processes. The organisation recently published its Global State of Democracy 2021 report.

14.12.2021 | Finland has chaired the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) in 2021. The Chairship culminated in a Ministerial Meeting on the state and future of an open and safe internet in December, hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.

15.7.2021 | In line with the Government decision of 15 July, the restrictions on the opening hours of border crossing points at the Finnish-Norwegian border will be lifted on 19 July. Changes will also be made to internal and external border control. According to the decision, starting from Monday 26 July 2021, persons who are able to present a certificate of a completed and approved COVID-19 vaccine course before entry can arrive in Finland from all countries.

13.7.2022 | At their informal meeting on 13–14 July in Prague, the EU ministers responsible for the environment will prepare for the UN’s meetings on biodiversity and climate change, discuss the environmental impacts of the war in Ukraine and explore what kind expert assistance the EU can offer. State Secretary Terhi Lehtonen will represent Finland at the meeting. 

5.12.2023 | Findings of the OECD’s PISA 2022 (Programme for International Student Assessment) show that while the performance of Finnish young people has deteriorated, it remains above the OECD average. PISA 2022 focused on mathematical literacy.

11.12.2023 | A project at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is working on a proposal for a well-being economy steering model for Finland that would strengthen wellbeing-oriented policymaking in Finland. A workshop, organized by THL and the OECD WISE Centre on 21–22 November 2023, brought together officials from pioneering countries to discuss the functionality and application of governance practices for a well-being framework.

27.10.2022 | More and more countries around the world are calling their foreign policy ‘feminist’. The concept has been discussed in Finland, too. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will convene an international conference at the House of the Estates in Helsinki in November, discussing foreign policy that promotes gender equality.

16.6.2022 | Executive Secretary Robert Floyd of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) is visiting Finland from 15 to 17 June at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto. The will includes a tour of Finland’s CTBTO monitoring network.

23.5.2023 | While Finland and Antarctica may be a world apart, Finland as an Arctic country is actively involved in the international cooperation on Antarctica. In this way, we can have a say in the affairs of the two polar regions as climate change threatens the environment in both. The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) will be held for the first time in Finland at the end of May.

24.10.2022 | A week-long visit of an expert group from the International Energy Agency (IEA) to Finland ended on 24 October 2022. The group was in Finland to assess the energy policy implemented and future prospects. This time, the country review focused on electrification, clean energy production and the promotion of hydrogen use.

2.12.2021 | The 10th anniversary of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) will be celebrated at the end of Finland’s Chairship. On 3 December, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will host a virtual Conference of foreign ministers representing 34 FOC member governments. The Freedom Online Coalition 10th Anniversary Helsinki Declaration for open and accessible internet and human rights-based digitalisation will be launched at the Conference.

11.10.2022 | Member States of the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, adopted almost unanimously a new long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG). In international aviation, the aim is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to net-zero by 2050. The ICAO Assembly was held in Montreal, Canada, from 27 September to 7 October 2022.

30.12.2021 | Finland’s presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers is coming to an end. Although the COVID-19 pandemic naturally affected event arrangements, solutions have also been found. For example, it has become commonplace to arrange remote and hybrid events, with recordings and reports produced for many events that can be used in various contexts, even after the presidency year ends. This documentat...

11.10.2022 | Member States of the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, adopted almost unanimously a new long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG). In international aviation, the aim is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to net-zero by 2050. The ICAO Assembly was held in Montreal, Canada, from 27 September to 7 October 2022.

5.5.2021 | Finnish and Canadian ministers and UN Women will organise a webinar on May 18, to seek ways to safeguard the position of women and girls in the post-pandemic reconstruction.

21.2.2023 | In their statement published on 20 February, the ministers of sport from 34 countries state that the International Olympic Committee should not change its decision of 28 February 2022 concerning the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international sports. According to the ministers, the situation in Ukraine has deteriorated over the past year.

16.12.2022 | Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Maria Ohisalo gave the Finland's National Statement at the High-Level Segment of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity on 16th of December 2022.

5.5.2023 | The International Energy Agency (IEA) published the results of its review on Finland’s energy policy on 5 May 2023. According to the review Finland’s nuclear and renewable power strengths provide a solid foundation for reaching its ambitious climate targets. The IEA conducts country reviews of its member countries’ energy policies every five years and issues recommendations for new policy measures.

30.11.2022 | Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will attend the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which will be held in Łódź, Poland, on 30 November–1 December. Poland holds the OSCE Chairpersonship in 2022.

4.5.2023 | Ministers of sport from 36 countries have issued a fourth collective statement on the exclusion of Russia and Belarus from international sports.

19.12.2022 | Finland and a number of other top countries in quantum technology have launched a portal for cooperation. The portal provides information on collaboration opportunities between the countries in quantum technology, especially in doctoral degrees, advanced studies and visitor exchanges.

11.10.2022 | Minister of Defence Kaikkonen to attend NATO defence minister meeting Ministry of Defence Publication date 11.10.2022 17.19 Type: Press release Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen will attend NATO’s meeting of defence ministers at NATO Headquarter...

13.5.2022 | EU foreign ministers will convene in Brussels on Monday 16 May. State Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Johanna Sumuvuori will represent Finland at the meeting. The Foreign Affairs Council will focus on Russian aggression against Ukraine and on the Western Balkans.

21.6.2023 | Finland has strengthened its mineral security by participating in the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) since its establishment in summer 2022. The partnership members discuss potential projects related to critical minerals as well as environmental, social and governance standards.

23.3.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Brussels on Wednesday 23 March. In their meeting, the prime ministers discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the sanctions imposed on Russia, extensive assistance to Ukraine, the development of European security and defence cooperation and Finland’s relationship with NATO.

10.10.2023 | Minister of Defence Häkkänen to attend NATO defence minister meeting Ministry of Defence Publication date 10.10.2023 12.06 Type: Press release Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will attend a meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at NATO ...

1.4.2022 | Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly will visit Finland on 4 April and have a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.

22.3.2024 | The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee convened in London on 18–22 March 2024. The committee’s 81st session discussed global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping.

12.7.2023 | In their joint statement of 12 July 2023, the Nordic countries express their readiness to support Ukraine and its security in the long term, building on the security commitments made to Ukraine by the G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States). 

29.11.2023 | Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), held in Skopje, North Macedonia, on 29–30 November. North Macedonia holds the OSCE Chairmanship in 2023.

8.12.2023 | Finland is currently preparing for its chairpersonship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2025. As part of the preparations, Finland will reinstate the OSCE delegation, which operates in conjunction with the Embassy of Finland in Vienna, as Permanent Representation as of 1 January 2024.

18.6.2024 | The results of the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 Creative Thinking assessment were published on 18 June 2024. The assessment measured how 15-year-olds in the participating countries were able to generate solutions for problems in everyday contexts. In Finland, young people demonstrated a high level of creative thinking, girls being among the best performers. Minis...

25.8.2025 | "Our task is to promote a world in which as many people as possible—regardless of country of birth and circumstances—can live their lives safely and freely, and be happy. That is Finland’s story."

25.8.2025 | "Finland is advancing the interests of Finland and Finnish businesses in a proactive and forward-looking way, also in the midst of ongoing changes."

27.2.2024 | Finland has joined the multilateral Joint Statement Endorsing Principles for 6G led by the United States. The joint statement was published at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on 27 February 2024.

7.10.2024 | The Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met in London between 30 September and 4 October 2024. The 82nd session of the Committee continued negotiations on global measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from marine transport. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications Minna Kivimäki attended the session on 30 September–2 October 2024.

3.11.2023 | Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman is pleased that the change of ownership of Helsinki shipyard has been completed, with ownership transferred to Canada’s Davie Shipbuilding from the Russian Algador Holdings.

1.3.2024 | Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman will attend the annually organised PDAC, the world’s largest mineral exploration and mining event, and the meeting of mining ministers in Toronto, Canada on 3-4 March 2024. The main theme of the meeting will be responsible mining and the clean transition.